Interview by Dr. Sunil Pevekar[/i]
Company[/i] Aksun Centre for Management Excellence, Mumbai[/i]
E-mail Id official[/i] – [/i] [email protected][/i]
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1. Tell us something about yourself ?
I am a PGDM from IIMA and a PhD from California, US. Currently pursuing my second PhD from DAVV, Indore.[/i]
2. What is management according to you ?
At one level it is nothing but common sense applied to business. At the other, it is a combination of science, art and craft.[/i]
3. What is your philosophy towards work ?
Strive for Excellence in whatever you do. Even if the rewards don’t come, you will have enjoyed the journey.[/i]
4. Describe the change in the management situation you have experienced till date ?
A lot of change has happened in the last 2 decades in Indian management. We have realized that there is a distinct style of management, which is quintessentially Indian. The management styles that were earlier dumped on us (the American and the Japanese) are perfect for their culture. What will work in India is a management style suited to Indian culture and ethos.[/i]
5. [/b]What motivates you to do your best on the job ?
I am currently doing what I am passionate about and good at. Motivation comes by itself, under these circumstances.[/i]
6. [/b]Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job ?
There are many such instances. A recent one was when we went to do a Simulation Training at Rajkot. Apart from the joy of sharing an evening with the students, we had fun staying overnight at the students hostel, where we got an opportunity to interact with them. We also had fun remembering our college days and living that life for 48 hours. Almost as if a scene had been added to “Five Point Someone” by Chetan Bhagat.[/i]
7. “Earning in 6 digits” is the motive behind doing MBA ? Is it justifiable ?
Perfectly justified. Only thing is make yourself capable of asking for that package. Most MBAs today do not want to get knowledge but want a passport (the MBA degree). The passport can state which country (or B School) you come from and get you an entry into the country (in this case the corporate world). But only knowledge can guarantee success in the corporate world.[/i]
8. Do you think the MBA course curriculum is at par with industry expectations ?
We are still following a system that was designed for the 60s. The industries have moved ahead of the course curriculum. What is needed is more relevant courses, like say “Low Cost Marketing through Internet”. Such courses only will give the curriculum, the much needed “value addition”. [/i]
9. What suggestions would you like to give to enhance MBA today ?
Choose students who have both a will and a zest to manage business. Just because you have good grades does not mean you have these two qualities. MBAs today lack real–life experience. Make atleast one subject in each second year semester a Project, where they get exposed to the real–world, with a need to provide real solutions. As for the faculty, look for dedication, fire in the belly to learn (yes, even for the faculty) and passion for making a difference. These could be good starting points.[/i]
10. Is the Name of the Institute from where a student does his / her MBA important while entering into corporate world ?
Yes, it does make a difference. Like the Business Model that we study about, each B School has a model for converting raw diamonds into polished ones. The amount of grilling that we got at IIMA, may have seemed excessive then, but it has shaped us very well for real life. [/i]
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11. What message would you like to give to the students aspiring to work at management level ?
First of all, come into this field only if you like it, not because your parents are asking you to. Take time to think before taking up this profession. Second, once in, forget family and personal life for the next two years. Third, each B School has a lot to offer. Try to learn the maximum from your teachers. Last, learn to apply that knowledge.[/i]
12. What are your views on the Entrance Exams for Professionals courses ?
I can only speak for the Management courses. First of all, we are assuming that entrance exams are a predictor of good performance in the MBA program. Is that really so ? Most of the time, they serve the purpose of rejection not selection. There should be scope for a person, who has not done well in the entrance exam to prove his / her capability in some other way.[/i]
13. What do Corporate’s expect from MBA professionals ?
Most important – That MBAs would have the desire to get involved and prove themselves before rising up. “Deserve then Desire”. I know of many MBAs who want to start as a Manager, without having any idea of ground realities, or even the industry they are working in.[/i]
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Corporates expect that you will hit the ground running. They also look for people who can perform at near–peak levels, for a long time, not in short spurts. And yes, a healthy respect for experience.[/i]
14. What piece of advice would you give to a student aspiring for an MBA ?
Make sure you are in the right profession. There is no spoon feeding here. You have to gain knowledge on your own. Read books other than the text books. Even there, read the text–book at least once. Gain practical knowledge through projects or interactions with industry leaders. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, but don’t keep repeating them and list what you learnt from a mistake.[/i]
15. [/b]"Managementparadise.com has been helping management students from the past 6 years. So according to you, how is MP and what you like in MP ? Any suggestions for us ?[/b]
You people have been doing a great job. Let us extend a helping hand to the fresh MBAs (in college or just joined in industry), by having mentors who can guide them. I, for one, will be most happy to be associated. After all, the Youth is our Future.
Thank you so much for giving us your valuable time.
How can our readers contact you ? [/b]
They can visit my website www.aksuncme.com and send me a mail. [/i]
Alternately, they can get in touch with me on www.facebook/spevekar[/i]